Lake Catholic forfeits first football game of season after hazing allegations

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MENTOR, Ohio — The Mentor Lake Catholic football team is starting this season with a loss.

The Cleveland Diocese confirms that the team will forfeit Saturday’s game against Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School due to recent allegations of hazing.

A John Carroll University police incident report dated July 27 states the hazing incident happened on campus on July 11. It lists two victims and five suspects.

The report reads: “Information obtained during a non JCU football camp appears to contain an act of hazing.”

The diocese said it was necessary to address the serious issue.

The school said in a statement:

As a result of its investigation into the recent allegations of hazing, Lake Catholic High School has determined that certain disciplinary action, in accordance with the school’s policies and Student Code of Conduct, is necessary to address this serious issue. As part of this disciplinary action, the school has issued a one-game suspension to a number of players on its varsity football team.

Consequently, the team is unable to field a squad sufficient in number to play this Saturday’s home game against Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School. Lake Catholic has notified Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School of its intent to forfeit the game.

Lake Catholic High School strives to create a truly Catholic environment in which all students are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve as children of God. As such, Lake Catholic does not tolerate actions by its students or staff members which are contrary to our Catholic values and character.